Main description:

The term mitochondrion is derived from Latin, with mitos meaning thread and chondrion meaning granules. Indeed, under the light microscope, mitochondria often appear as rods or granules within the cytoplasm. For decades after initial visualization of mitochondria by light microscopy, mitochondrial function remained clouded. However, with the development of differential centri- gation and electron microscopy, it was discovered that a chief function of the mitochondria was the generation of ATP for the remainder of the cell. For many years, the energy generating function of the mitochondria was considered the primary, if not the sole function of the mitochondria. During that period, inves- gators attempted to obtain information on the mechanism of ATP synthesis and the regulation of electron transport. In the first chapter of the book, Dr. Hassinen summarizes those studies, providing clear pictures on the transformation of reducing equivalents into a proton gradient and the mechanism by which the F F 1 0 ATPase utilizes the proton gradient to generate ATP. He also summarizes the key regulatory steps of the citric acid cycle, which is the major source of reducing equivalents for the electron transport chain. In the heart, most of the carbon that feeds into the citric acid cycle is derived from fatty acid metabolism. Although fatty acid utilization provides most of the ATP for contraction, a proper balance must be maintained between the utilization of fatty acids and that of glucose. In the second chapter, Drs.

Feature:

Covers the emergence of mitochondria as an important regulator of cell signaling

Focuses on the pathophysiology of the mitochondria

Back cover:

About the Series:

Advances in Biochemistry in Heath and Disease presents state-of-the-art discussions in cutting-edge biochemical research, offering exciting developments that impact healthcare and disease research. Volumes in the series focus on cross-disciplinary biomedical research and examine various topics in biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, and biomedicine.

Mitochondria: The Dynamic Organelle

Mitochondria: The Dynamic Organelle focuses on the function of the mitochondria and the organelle’s role in cellular pathology. While the traditional function of the mitochondria is metabolic, recent cutting-edge studies have uncovered a central role for mitochondria in cell signaling, cell survival and cell death. Mitochondria: The Dynamic Organelle presents examples of crosstalk between the mitochondria and the rest of the cell, which serve a regulatory role by modulating the levels of key metabolites, ions and oxidants or the activities of key rate-controlling enzymes. Detailed descriptions of the involvement of membrane receptors, channels, enzymes and metabolites in the cardioprotective mechanisms of the mitochondria are provided. This volume also discusses the death pathways that are initiated by the mitochondria. Novel therapeutic interventions are proposed which interfere with the death cascades, thereby rescuing the cell from mitochondria-linked apoptosis and necrotic oncosis.

Mitochondria: The Dynamic Organelle is a timely contribution that addresses the reemergence of the mitochondria as a key player in cellular function and pathology.

Key topics:

• Amino acid metabolism








• Carbohydrate and lipid metabolism








• Citric acid cycle regulation and metabolite transport








• Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation








• Ischemic preconditioning








• Mitochondrial apoptosis








• Mitochondrial DNA damage








• Mitochondrial permeability transition








• Mitochondrial ion transporters








• Necrotic oncosis and mitochondrial dysfunction








• Peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors (PPARs)

Mitochondria: The Dynamic Organelle is essential reading for researchers, molecular and cellular biologists, biochemists, physiologists and pathologists.

About the Editors:

Stephen W. Schaffer has been a professor of Pharmacology at the University of South Alabama, College of Medicine since 1988. He received training in mitochondrial function from the Johnson Research Foundation at the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on the effects of diabetes and angiotensin II on the heart, with a particular emphasis on the effects of mitochondrial DNA damage on the cardiomyocyte. He is a recipient of the Vincenzo Penagia Distinguished Scientist Award and is a fellow of the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences. He serves on the editorial board of Amino Acids and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry and is editor of several books.

M.-Saadeh Suleiman is currently a Professor of Cardiac Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bristol. He joined the Department of Physiology in Bristol in 1988 and was one of the founders of the Bristol Heart Institute. His research is focused on myocardial protection including the role of mitochondria, and had significant impact on cardiac surgery where he was a member of the team that received the UK Hospital Doctor Award in 2005 for innovative surgery. He was a recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship and in 2003 was awarded a DSc in Physiology from the University of Bristol. He was elected twice to the executive committee of the British Society of Cardiovascular Research (1998-2004).

Contents:

Chapter 1: Mitochondrial Size and Shape: Effect of Shear Stress and Osmotic Stress Al Mehdi, University of South Alabama Chapter 2: Regulation of Fatty Acid Metabolism Lopaschuk, Edmonton Chapter 3: Regulation of Pyruvate Metabolism Denton, Bristol Chapter 4: Regulation of Citric Acid Cycle and NADH Shuttles Taegtyeyer, Houston Chapter 5: PPAR and Mitochondria Sudgen, London Chapter 6: Amino Acids and Mitochondria King, Bristol Chapter 7: Regulation of Electron Transport IE Hassinen, Finland Chapter 8: Mitochondrial K Channels O’Rourke, Johns Hopkins Chapter 9: Calcium Transport and Mitochondria King, Bristol Chapter 10: Mitochondrial Metabolite Transporters LaNoue, Penn State Chapter 11: Generation of Free Radicals by Mitochondria Turrens, South Alabama Chapter 12: Mitochondria DNA Damage and Repair Wilson, South Alabama Chapter 13: Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore Halestrap, Bristol Chapter 14: Mitochondrial Apoptosis Suleiman, Bristol and Schaffer, South Alabama Chapter 15: Necrosis and Mitochondria Steenbergen, North Carolina Chapter 16: Preconditioning and Mitochondria Cohen and Downey, South Alabama